The ‘Southwark’ is the second in a series of four of the new Wave Guardian class of pilot / patrol boats ordered by the Port of London Authority from Alnmaritec. She follows on from the highly successful first of class the ‘Lambeth’ which has been in operation for nearly 18 months and she was built specifically for low wake and low fuel consumption characteristics. She is designed to carry out port patrol, harbourmaster and river pilotage duties and she has a top speed of over 21 knots using only 400bhp of installed power and a comfortable wheelhouse with a small galley, a WC and seating for 12 passengers as well as ample working deck space and twin dive platforms aft. She is fitted with two sets of pilot boarding steps which can be removed when she is not engaged in pilot duties and an electrically operated lowering mast for low air draft bridges. She represents a truly unique and versatile design and these vessels will provide the backbone of the PLA patrol fleet for many years to come.